One of the most powerful and least understood aspects of successful organizations is how employees' feelings of connection, community, and unity provide a competitive advantage.
Employees in an organization with a high degree of connection are more engaged, more productive in their jobs, and less likely to leave for a competitor. They are also more trusting and cooperative; they are more willing to share information with their colleagues and therefore help them make well-informed decisions.
Science has proven that feeling connected is a human need. Disconnected individuals don't give their best efforts or align their behavior with organizational goals. Plus, they bring toxic stress home with them.
How can leaders bring out connection in their workplace to meet this human need and improve the performance of individuals, their team, and their organization?
In "CONNECTION CULTURE: The Competitive Advantage of Shared Identity, Empathy, and Understanding at Work," author Mike Stallard explains how we can be intentional in creating and sustaining connection cultures. Connection Culture reveals how leaders at every level can be more self-aware, develop their untapped potential, and drive significantly better results.
In this new book, you'll learn key actions through engaging and inspiring stories from U2's Bono to Ford's Alan Mulally.
The following attitudes, language and behaviors will help facilitate connection:
1. Recognize varying connection needs.
2. Be present in conversations.
3. Develop the ability to empathize.
4. Develop the habit of emphasizing positives.
5. Control our tone of voice.
6. Negotiate with the mindset to solve a problem rather than to win.
7. Provide autonomy in execution.
9. Learn and apply the five languages of appreciation.
10. Develop social skills and relationship skills, and recognize the difference between them.